Webcasting takes a standard media signal (i.e. audio from a phone line or video from camera) and converts it in a process called “encoding”. This is completed in a language your computer understands such as Windows Media, QuickTime or Flash. Once it is encoded, the message is sent to a real-time server using a protocol like rtmp & distributed on a worldwide server infrastructure which allows you to view the event videocast when you go to the webcast page using any ordinary browser.

The terms are often used interchangeably though there may be a small difference:

Streaming:

Streaming is the technology behind webcasting that allows us to send audio or video signals online, in the form of a ‘stream’ of ‘packets of digital information’ for broadcasting live event media or even on demand (archived) media..

Webcasting:

Webcasting incorporates interactive features added to the streaming media content, which takes the raw media (video and/or audio and/or digital presentations from the desktop) and turns it into a corporate presentation.

Web Conferencing is a complete, software based application that is intended for “many-to-many” communications or collaboration, exactly like a telephone conference call. Web Conferencing can be used on demand and is completely self serve – you control all facets of the communication from your desktop via a service that you must sign on to.

Webcasting:

Webcasting is a “one-to-many” communication tool with presenters broadcasting a message out to remote viewers, watching on the Internet. Although it is also software-based, a webcast differs somewhat from web conferencing applications in that it does not allow the remote audience members to communicate directly with the host. However, Webcasts can be customized to include Live Chat Technology into the same display screen, which facilitates live, audience to host communication.

The YouTube generation has exerted a huge influence on corporate communications strategies, with audiences expecting nothing less than full-featured audio-visual technologies being utilized as a matter of course. Webcasting allows you to leverage full motion audio-video content but it is vital that this method of communication be used intelligently, selecting the best media format for your needs.

Video is generally recommended when for example…

CEO’s are addressing the company as a whole;

When a company or any organization is looking to reach out to remote areas they cannot normally communicate with;

To address prospects, customers or buyers directly.

For communicating with home-based consumers or shareholders.

Though these days Streaming Video is the only tool of choice for the most effective communication.

The terms are used interchangeably. However, “bandwidth” technically means the size and capacity of your internet connection (dial-up, high-speed, or cable).

“Bit-rate” refers to the speed with which data (bits) can pass through the connection (bandwidth).

The choices for webcasting used to be as low as 56 to 150 kbps (ie. kilobytes per second) for old dial-up systems. However, in today’s broadband-based world stream rates of 500 to 800 kbps are common, with rates for some events going even higher to transmit high definition video streams.

Should my Webcast be High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD)?

Most consumer Internet connections, while technically being broadband, may not have the bandwidth to stream a high definition signal smoothly. It is therefore more useful to broadcast your video in standard definition, which requires less bandwidth then HD and will provide a smoother stream, which your viewers will appreciate. Read an article on this topic on our blog…

The more notice and planning you can invest the event generally will result in the best end result. As a general rule, webcast pages should be built and email invitations should be sent out no later than 2 weeks before the event.

Attendance is the first item generally measured to determine the success of an event This is easily done through webcast stats that will give you ‘up to the minute’ reporting the number of viewers in real-time plus stats available on request after the event, showing where your viewers were located.

Every computer these days comes fully equipped with everything you need to view a webcast: a Mac or a PC with a Pentium processor, a sound card with computer speakers (or headphones) and a regular Web Browser like Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. You do not need anything more than you already have.

No, we don’t run any pre-roll or in-player display ads during our live streams, but can integrate your branding or sponsors branding in the form of ad placements if you’d like. Optionally, we can also run video ads of your sponsors between presentations or during breaks if you like.

"I am thrilled at how well the Webcast went & am excited to work more with you on our future programmes - this will be a long & successful relationship!" "THANK YOU!!" Erin Monahan Education Director Trial Lawyers Association of BC

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/172/

BCCLA

"We were extremely pleased by the service we received...

"The picture & sound were impeccable, all our remote viewers were able to access the program & we received a copy of the video for our website immediately after the event.

"We received high-level, courteous & professional service & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend MediaPower's webcasting service"

"We were extremely pleased by the service we received... "The picture & sound were impeccable, all our remote viewers were able to access the program & we received a copy of the video for our website immediately after the event. "We received high-level, courteous & professional service & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend MediaPower's webcasting service" David Eby, Executive Director BC Civil Liberties Association

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bccla/

SMEI

Pesi's expertise in Live Event Webcasting sets him apart as one of the true professionals in his field.

His knowledge & understanding coupled with customer service excellence has made him a pleasure to work with.

I would not hesitate to recommend Pesi to anyone needing this type of service.

Pesi's expertise in Live Event Webcasting sets him apart as one of the true professionals in his field. His knowledge & understanding coupled with customer service excellence has made him a pleasure to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend Pesi to anyone needing this type of service. Willis Turner, CAE CME CSE Association Management Professional SMEI Sales & Marketing Executives International Inc.

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/smei/

BC SPCA

You provided us with the best solutions for our unique event & the highest quality service. Thank you for your wonderful advice, patience & guidance as we tackled our first-ever live webcast...

"We received wonderful feedback from our supporters who found the webcast easy to access & both sound & picture quality to be consistent & reliable. Thank you again for your wonderful service"

You provided us with the best solutions for our unique event & the highest quality service. Thank you for your wonderful advice, patience & guidance as we tackled our first-ever live webcast... "We received wonderful feedback from our supporters who found the webcast easy to access & both sound & picture quality to be consistent & reliable. Thank you again for your wonderful service" Melanie Parent Development Officer BCSPCA

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bc-spca/

Trial Lawyers Assoc

"MediaPower has been able to take our seminars & conferences to another level.

"We can now offer our educational programs to members all over the province without them having to travel to Vancouver. It is a fantastic addition to our programs & I could not have done it without MediaPower!

"MediaPower has been able to take our seminars & conferences to another level. "We can now offer our educational programs to members all over the province without them having to travel to Vancouver. It is a fantastic addition to our programs & I could not have done it without MediaPower! "Great Price Point & Excellent Quality!" Erin Monahan Education Director Trial Lawyers Association of BC

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/tlabc/

LSBC

We have used Mediastream's services a number of times to provide video streams of our events so that we could reach an audience that spanned the country.

Pesi was organized, punctual & reliable. I never had to worry about this part of my event and I was free to focus on other aspects.

We have used Mediastream's services a number of times to provide video streams of our events so that we could reach an audience that spanned the country. Pesi was organized, punctual & reliable. I never had to worry about this part of my event and I was free to focus on other aspects. Rosine Hage-Moussa Manager Programs & Outreach Life Sciences BC

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/lsbc/

CPSAC

Pesi Unwalla of EventcastLive was tremendously professional & accommodating in helping us set up an interactive webcast of our conference.

Participants from across Canada were thrilled to have the opportunity to join an event which would have been financially out of reach otherwise. I am personally thankful for his patience with my various questions and requests for changes and additions to our contract.

Pesi Unwalla of EventcastLive was tremendously professional & accommodating in helping us set up an interactive webcast of our conference. Participants from across Canada were thrilled to have the opportunity to join an event which would have been financially out of reach otherwise. I am personally thankful for his patience with my various questions and requests for changes and additions to our contract. Kim Mundle President Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/180/

Indigo Books

"Thanks for everything you did to support our event...

"You were so easy to work with because you were self-sufficient and able to problem-solve on your own.

"Its nice to work alongside someone that is agile and able to work under any circumstances!"

"Thanks for everything you did to support our event... "You were so easy to work with because you were self-sufficient and able to problem-solve on your own. "Its nice to work alongside someone that is agile and able to work under any circumstances!" Mary-Lynn Hanson Regional Marketing Manager Western Canada Indigo Books & Music Inc

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/indigo-books/

Mustang Survival Corp

"Wanted to send you a note to say how impressed everyone was with the webcast.

"There are people in the mergers & acquisition world now looking at it as setting the bar for how to do this.

"Wanted to send you a note to say how impressed everyone was with the webcast. "There are people in the mergers & acquisition world now looking at it as setting the bar for how to do this. "Your flexibility was a huge relief to me & you made it all so easy. "Thank You Again!" Sarah Williams Director Information Technology Mustang Survival Corp.

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/183/

BCPSQC

"We have had nothing but stellar feedback on the quality of the feed!

“I am thrilled at how well the Webcast went & am excited to work more with you on our future programs – this will be a long & successful relationship! THANK YOU!!”

“Thanks for keeping us calm during our first experience. We will definitely work with you again!”

"We have had nothing but stellar feedback on the quality of the feed! “I am thrilled at how well the Webcast went & am excited to work more with you on our future programs – this will be a long & successful relationship! THANK YOU!!” “Thanks for keeping us calm during our first experience. We will definitely work with you again!” Marlies van Dijk BC Patients Safety & Quality Council (at the International Conference on Spotlighting Surgical Quality in BC)

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bcpsqc/

BCCDC

"Everyone attending the webcast has given great compliments, saying it was flawless and the best webcast they have ever attended.

"Thank you so much for delivering a fantastic production at such short notice."

"Everyone attending the webcast has given great compliments, saying it was flawless and the best webcast they have ever attended. "Thank you so much for delivering a fantastic production at such short notice." Kirsten Mitchell BC Centre for Disease Control

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bccdc/

PHSA

We would like to thank you for making our first ever [webcast] an outstanding success. Your advice, patience and experience helped us hurdle challenges to produce a flawless event.

We have received tremendously positive feedback from our participants, in particular that the audio, video & production quality was "beautiful" & that it was the "best webinar they have ever attended."

Many participants commented that it felt like they were in the room experiencing everything live with us.

We have received tremendously positive feedback from our webinar participants, in particular that the audio, video & production quality was "beautiful" & that it was the "best webinar they have ever attended."

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bccdc-2/

BCNF

"MediaPower allowed us to not only increase our conference participation rate by 100%, but we also increased our reach throughout the global community.

"The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Our viewers loved how easy it was to access the live stream and interact with the presenters via the interactive online chat feature.

"MediaPower allowed us to not only increase our conference participation rate by 100%, but we also increased our reach throughout the global community. "The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Our viewers loved how easy it was to access the live stream and interact with the presenters via the interactive online chat feature. We will definitely hire MediaPower for our 2017 conference. Desiree Sher, Executive Director BC Neurofibromatosis Foundation

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bcnf/

BCPA

Pesi Unwalla provides wonderful service . He covers every detail and goes above and beyond the call. He is always cool and unflappable and one of the real nice guys in the business. I look forward to working with him again.

Rick GambrelExecutive Director & Association Management Professional and Lawyer BC Psychological Association & The University of British Columbia

Pesi Unwalla provides wonderful service . He covers every detail and goes above and beyond the call. He is always cool and unflappable and one of the real nice guys in the business. I look forward to working with him again. Rick Gambrel Executive Director & Association Management Professional and Lawyer BC Psychological Association & The University of British Columbia

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bcpa/

Vital Communications

Pesi is responsive, respectful and knowledgeable. I'm glad he provided everything that was needed for a critical US/Canada corporate live webcast.

Pesi is responsive, respectful and knowledgeable. I'm glad he provided everything that was needed for a critical US/Canada corporate live webcast. John Kageorge, APR Communications Strategist Vital Communications American University Vancouver